Pluma Hidalgo, Mountain coffee region in Sierra Madre del Sur, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Pluma Hidalgo is a municipality in the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains sitting at about 1,300 meters (4,300 feet) elevation and surrounded by coffee plantations. Tropical forest covers the steep hillsides, creating a green landscape year-round.
The municipality was founded in 1870 as the first coffee-growing zone on the Oaxacan coast. The elevation and mountain climate made coffee production possible, shaping the local economy ever since.
The name comes from a cloud formation that resembles a feather hovering above a nearby hill, combined with the surname of Father Miguel Hidalgo from Mexico's independence movement. Locals observe September 15-16 with traditional parades that honor this historical connection.
Getting there requires driving up mountain roads from Highway 200, with rental cars and taxis available from Huatulco Airport. The winding mountain drive takes time, so plan your journey with a full day in mind.
Many visitors overlook that this mountain settlement is one of Mexico's best sources for high-quality coffee found mainly at local markets and small farms. The combination of elevation, volcanic soil, and rainforest creates growing conditions found almost nowhere else.
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